A unique presentation: dorsal agenesis of the pancreas manifesting as pancreatic exocrine insufficiency in the absence of diabetes mellitus in an 8-year-old boy

Agenesis of the Dorsal Pancreas: Case Report and Review of Age-Related Differences in Presentation

Agenesis of the dorsal pancreas (ADP) is a rare congenital anomaly that occurs when the body and tail of the pancreas fail to develop from the dorsal bud in utero. ADP may be discovered when evaluating conditions arising from the anomaly, such as diabetes mellitus, pancreatitis, and pancreatic insufficiency, but is more commonly found as an incidental finding. To date, fewer than 120 cases have been reported in the literature. We report a 6-year-old male who was found to have ADP on computed tomography during the investigation of abdominal pain and vomiting. We review the variable presentation, genetic mutations, and age-related differences between children and adults with this rare condition.

Agenesis of the dorsal pancreas presenting with diabetic ketoacidosis - a case report and literature review

BACKGROUND

Agenesis of the dorsal pancreas (ADP) is clinically rare, and it is usually accompanied by abdominal pain. Various disorders of glucose metabolism associating with ADP have been reported, but there are only two studies reporting a correlation between ADP and DKA in English literature.

CASE PRESENTATION

We present a case of a patient with ADP accompanied by abdominal pain and diabetic ketoacidosis as the initial clinical presentation. A 30-year-old man presented with a 3-month history of recurrent onset of persistent mild epigastric pain, which worsen when eating. Laboratory tests revealed metabolic acidosis, hyperglycemia, and ketonuria. Phase contrast CT and MRCP showed the absence of the body and tail of the pancreas, as well as the dorsal pancreatic duct. The C-peptide release test indicated β-cell dysfunction. A combination therapy of insulin, pancreatic enzyme supplements, and mosapride citrate were administrated and the pain gradually resolved.

CONCLUSIONS

As glucose metabolism disorders can vary across different individuals, we advise clinicians to consider the diagnosis of ADP for a patient who presents with a glucose metabolism disorder accompanied by abdominal pain, pancreatitis or steatorrhea.

Agenesis of the dorsal pancreas: systematic review of a clinical challenge

BACKGROUND

Agenesis of the dorsal pancreas is a rare malformation. Since 1911 and until 2008, 53 cases have been reported. Several authors have recently described the association of this anomaly with neoplasia of the ventral pancreas, thus we performed a systematic review of the literature from 2008 to 2015.

METHODS

A systematic review of the MedLine and ISI Web of Science Databases from 2008 until 2015 was carried out, and 30 articles which met the inclusion criteria were identified that included a total of 53 patients: 7 children and 46 adults.

CONCLUSIONS

Although dorsal pancreatic agenesis is a rare malformation, given its association with non-alcoholic pancreatitis and neoplasia of the residual pancreas, physicians should maintain an expectant attitude.

Agenesis or pseudoagenesis of the dorsal pancreas

The authors present an evidence-based case report of a patient with agenesis or pseudoagenesis of the dorsal pancreas.

Sonographic features of agenesis of dorsal pancreas

Agenesis of dorsal pancreas is an extremely rare congenital anomaly that occurs due to failure of the dorsal pancreatic bud to form the body and tail of the pancreas. We report the sonographic appearance of this condition in six cases.

Dorsal agenesis of the pancreas - a rare cause of abdominal pain and insulin-dependent diabetes

Dorsal agenesis of the pancreas is a rare congenital disorder. We report a case of a 65-year-old man with mild abdominal pain and insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen showed a short pancreas with no pancreatic tissue ventral to the splenic vein. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) visualized the absence of a dorsal duct system and confirmed the suspicion of complete agenesis of the dorsal pancreas. Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) was also performed to rule out pancreatic malignancy.

Agenesis of the dorsal pancreas and its association with pancreatic tumors

Morphogenesis of the pancreas is a complex process; nevertheless, congenital anomalies are rare. At embryogenesis, the pancreas develops from the endoderm-lined dorsal and ventral buds of the duodenum. The ventral bud gives rise to the lower head and uncinate process of the pancreas; whereas, the dorsal bud gives rise to the upper head, isthmus, body, and tail of the pancreas. Rarely, developmental failure of the dorsal pancreatic bud at embryogenesis results in the agenesis of the dorsal pancreas--neck, body, and tail. Even rarer is the association of pancreatic tumors with agenesis of the dorsal pancreas. In addition to citing our case, we provide a comprehensive review on agenesis of the dorsal pancreas and its association with pancreatic tumors.

Agenesis of the dorsal pancreas and associated diseases

BACKGROUND

Agenesis of the dorsal pancreas is a very rare congenital pancreatic malformation and is associated with some other diseases.

METHODS

A PubMed search revealed 53 cases of agenesis of the dorsal pancreas.

RESULTS

In 28 patients with this congenital malformation hyperglycemia was demonstrated, 27 had abdominal pain, 16 had pancreatitis, 14 had an enlarged or prominent pancreatic head visible on computed tomography, and in a few cases, polysplenia, which may occur with various congenital anomalies of visceral organs, was described.

CONCLUSIONS

Difficulties involved in obtaining a firm diagnosis have led to a variety of terms being used to describe this congenital disease. Diagnosis of agenesis of the dorsal pancreas is inconclusive without demonstration of the absence of the dorsal pancreatic duct. Here we describe the embryological development of the pancreas, the so-far known cases of agenesis of the dorsal pancreas with associated medical problems, and the diagnostic measures to find the right conclusions.